SAN FRANCISCO — Kevin Frandsen is one of the few San Francisco Giants who will remember Barry Bonds’ 15 seasons in San Francisco from two unique vantage points.

A fan during the left fielder’s early years with the Giants, Frandsen recalled fondly Friday the moment Bonds celebrated atop a Candlestick Park dugout when the team clinched a division title in 1997.

“It was almost like he went crowd surfing like at a rock concert after they won,” the infielder said. “Everyone knew he was awesome the previous four years. But when he got on the dugout — you could just see all the excitement that he brought.”

Last month, Frandsen soaked in another memorable Bonds moment. He was in the Giants’ dugout for Bonds’ record-breaking 756th home run.

“I’m going to savor that forever and be very grateful that I had the opportunity to be on the same team as him during that time,” Frandsen said. “To see so many home runs as a fan and then to seeso many home runs as a teammate is special.”

Bonds’ teammates were not surprised by the announcement Friday that the Giants were cutting ties with the controversial home-run champ. The team had stated it wanted to get younger, and Bonds, 43, is not young.

“If you’re going on a baseball decision — as great as Barry is as a player — I guess bringing him back would go against that grain,” infielder Rich Aurilia said. “You knew the day would come. But it’s almost more shocking than anything else.”

None of Bonds’ teammates questioned whether he can still play. He leads the Giants in home runs with 28 and the National League in on-base percentage (.483) and intentional walks (43).

“The guy is the oldest guy to play every day in the league and is still leading the National League in some hitting categories — which is amazing,” pitcher Barry Zito said. “He’s done some special things this year. Being at the age that he is, I’m sure it’s historic. Barry has an opportunity to go be a (designated hitter) somewhere. I’m sure that’s only going to prolong his career.”

Zito had watched Bonds for years from across the bay while playing for the A’s. He called it an honor to be Bonds’ teammate this season.

“I’ll just remember his presence out there,” Zito said, “having an honor to be able to play with a guy like that, seeing him day in and day out, the way he goes about his work, just the love that he has for his job — even after 20-plus years of doing it.”

Some Giants weren’t sure they would be back with the team next season either. Zito wasn’t one of them, having signed a seven-year, $126 million contract before this season.

“I know the Giants are talking about rebuilding,” Zito said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys in here. Maybe it can just open up one more spot on the roster to stay consistent with that rebuilding effort.”

Shortstop Omar Vizquel, Bonds’ teammate for three seasons, called Friday’s news a sad day for the Bay Area.

“He represented not only baseball, but he represented the Giants,” Vizquel said, “and everybody kind of recognized the Giants over the last 10 years because of Barry Bonds. He did a lot for this city.”

Outfielder Randy Winn said it was nice the news came out Friday, so fans could give Bonds a proper sendoff during this final homestand of the season.

“I know his average isn’t what it’s been,” Winn said. “But he can still hit home runs, and he has a tremendous on-base percentage. It’s obvious that other teams respect what he can do with a bat, as evidenced by the number of walks that he gets.”

A’s reliever Alan Embree, who played with Bonds on the Giants from 1999-2001, echoed many players’ sentiments.

“It’s going to be weird seeing him in a different uniform if (Bonds goes to a team at a DH),” Embree said.

A’s general manager Billy Beane offered no hint as to any possible future Bonds might have as a DH in Oakland.

“I have no comment. No reaction,” Beane said.

Cleveland Indians starter Paul Byrd, who faced Bonds when he pitched for the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, noted Bonds’ accomplishments in less-than-hitter-friendly environs.

“What stands out most is the number of homers he hit in two of the hardest parks to hit in the National League (AT&T and Candlestick),” Byrd said. “I’ve pitched in both those parks, and they’re graveyards. Nobody talks about that. What he’s done is amazing.”

Bonds was unavailable to play Friday because of a sprained right big toe. But manager Bruce Bochy said he hopes the left fielder will recover in time to play one more time as a Giant at At&T Park.

As for Bonds’ future beyond this season, Bochy said without question he can still be a force.

“I wouldn’t put anything past what Barry could do,” Bochy said. “I think he’d be a perfect DH, to be honest. I think he could be one of the best DHs in the game, and no telling how many home runs he would hit. He still has that great bat speed and the great eye.”

Darren Sabedra is a sports reporter and the high school sports editor, overseeing prep coverage throughout the Bay Area. He's been with the Bay Area News Group since the early 1990s and has covered many sports beats, including Stanford football and basketball, pro baseball and the NFL. He also has worked on the sports copy desk.

“Beyond the Headline” hosts and hold a wide-sweeping discussion about their experiences covering the devastating at the Ghost Ship warehouse that killed 36 people. They are joined by Bay Area News Group colleagues in award-winning investigative reporter , Oakland city beat reporter and seasoned photojournalist , who has the distinction of having been on scene for the Oakland’s two deadliest fires...